March 24, 2017
My day started slowly, woke up around 7 and was not out of my albergue until 9. I had a 14-15 mile hike in front of me. At this point I was alone. No clue where to go and no one in sight. I would soon find out there was a reason everyone left early…
(Goodbye St. Jean Pied de Port)
I got to the halfway point at a reasonable time of 12:30pm, at about 7 miles, I felt GREAT. I was making good time and had only about 7 more miles to go. So I took my time at lunch and left at around 1:30pm.
(This is my lunch APPETIZER, bring on the hiker hunger!)
Not long after I started to climb, and I did not stop climbing for another 5-6 miles. Remember that reason everyone already left? Well it was because of the weather. A couple miles from the top I heard a sound, a sound that would keep me alert for the rest of the trek—HAIL. I began to see snow and then the hail turned to rain. And the wind, oh the wind!, was so strong.
(I was EXHAUSTED, still had more climbing to do)
So there I was alone, with miles left to go in the cold rain. I barely took any rest at the top of the mountain. I thankfully had an audiobook of The Power of Now. I had about a mile to go and it was all downhill– a steep down hill.
(The view from the top of the mountain)
Then I saw a dog. A wild dog at that. Apparently this dog had walked/hiked from the same place I started, 14 miles back, as well. He kept me company until I reached my refuge/albergue.
(If you look hard enough you’ll see the dog who kept me company as I descended the mountain!)
I made it to my bed in a room of about 50 other people. I was so delirious I ended up showering in the men’s bathroom– whoops! Haha!
(The medieval village of Roncesvalles where I spent the night)
I had a lovely dinner despite one not so friendly gentleman from Scotland. I said “nice talking with you!” And he responds with “why? You didn’t say one word to me?” It was a bit of an awkward exchange but if there is one thing I am learning it is not allow anyone else to steal my peace. It is a work in progress but progress nonetheless.
The next morning I would wake up to more snow and anxiety but I will go on about that later…
Until tomorrow mis amigos. ADIOS!
-Ash
El Camino Chronicles 